The miniature track ( 10 1/4") has now been laid and the photo shows the progress. My poorly-painted red arrow shows the end of the line! The 5" gauge track is currently being built off-site in a portable format. It is hoped that this will be able to promote the GVR at other events in the area.

The "new" miniature line will be open on Saturday 29th May and Monday 31st May between 11am and 3.30pm. Rides are 50p.

A productive day with plenty of tracklaying on the miniature line. 16 panels have now been laid with 12 more to go. All the track has been ballasted and the large pile of ballasting material reduced by two thirds. A platform area for the miniature has also been created. It's fascinating to note the amount of interest created from passers-by on the Community Route.

The security enhancements on the miniature railway container are in place (now christened Shed B!), more work has been done on the platform tug and the GWR running-in board posts have been cleaned off and painted in red oxide. No rain either - despite the forecast...!

Over the past few weekends, work has focussed on the ongoing Shark brakevan restoration, the Class 108 DMU refurbishment and the miniature railway. The latter has now moved to its final location and sits adjacent to the Community Route. The new alignment should give around 300 metres of track and in a highly visible location to the passing public. Photos show the track being laid and also a view inside the front saloon of the Class 108 DMU which has a floor so clean you can not only eat your dinner off it, but probably your pudding too.....! The next Open Day will be over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend and hopefully the miniature will make its debut in the new location.

A glorious weekend saw some more work on both 7705 and the Shark. The new starting mechanism for the dumper was finished and it seems to work a treat. The "Duck" has now left of course and the flat wagon was moved accordingly. The miniature has now left the shed and lives inside the (now relocated) container.

With some earth works taking place on Sunday, the container is now due to move to it's final resting place and the miniature line laid south alongside the community route. The loco caused much interest amongst those using the path over the weekend and I'm sure will continue to do so once the new line is laid.

Weather was not too good (heavy rain showers and cold) but our visitors seemed to enjoy themselves and our new promotional leaflets went down well. The miniature railway was partially indoors with an outdoor stretch for the brave, the (extended) model railway worked for the first time and the Shark was open to the public. The DMU was also open for viewing.

We also had a 5" gauge loco on display - a Swansea Dock Tank and a beautiful scale brake van on the test bench. A G-gauge class 66 also had an airing and Easter Bunny attended.

Moves are now afoot to make the 10 1/4" miniature railway a permanent fixture outside, but located in such a way that it does not affect the forthcoming extension. Its likely position is alongside the Community Route, heading south.

Particular thanks should go to the gentleman who visited all the way from Carlisle! Thanks for your support!

The next open day is likely to be at the end of May.

Click the images to view larger versions.

Work this weekend saw activity on the DMU where the floor was given a further clean and a good polish (again and again!), a small 5" gauge test track built, shed tidied for the Open Days, model railway prepared (off-site), last pieces of work on the pointwork, preparing the miniature railway for use and lots of noise emanating from 7705.

Posters available for the Open Day - please ask!

Major work this weekend focussed on the pointwork again. By Sunday afternoon the point mechanism was in and further sleepers prepared for installation.

Work continued on the pointwork outside the shed. The DMU team have nearly finished the refurbishment of the front saloon on the DMU, with floor, wall and ceiling being deep cleaned and the window frames varnished. The seat frames can now be repainted and refitted and cushions returned. Work continues on RSH 7705 and a log store has been made and fitted near the portacabin.

Click the image to the left to view a larger version.